Device

Software

TI-Nspire Version

Activity Overview

Students investigate exponential growth and decay through the situation of infestation and extermination.

Key Steps

In Part 1, students review foundational understanding and are asked questions that will help them make connections between what they know and what they need to know to understand the process of solving separable differential equations.

In Part 2, students examine the example of infestation of bugs in order to be introduced to the process of solving a separable differential equation. Multiple-choice questions lead students through the steps. Students can answer application questions graphically using Graph Trace or with the Calculator application on split screens.

In Part 3, students will apply what was learned from “Infestation” to “Extermination.” Students see the similarity between exponential growth and decay. They will solve several application questions graphically, numerically, or with the aid of CAS.